Derby County defender Richard Keogh has been named in the provisional Republic of Ireland squad for the their upcoming international double-header.

Martin O'Neill's side take on Northern Ireland in a friendly next Thursday (November 15), before facing Denmark in Aarhus in the UEFA Nations League on Monday, November 19.

Keogh is Derby's only representative in the initial 36-man squad, as fellow centre-back Alex Pearce once again misses out.

Former Rams duo Cyrus Christie and Jeff Hendrick have both been called up.

Keogh has captained his country in their previous three matches - against Wales, Denmark and Poland.

But even if he is in the starting line-up against Northern Ireland, he will not be wearing the armband for a fourth successive game.

That honour will go to Aston Villa midfielder Glenn Whelan. The 34-year-old is set to skipper the team on what is likely to be his 85th and last senior appearance for his country, as he will not travel to Denmark.

Whelan could face the Rams on Saturday, when Villa visit Pride Park Stadium in the Sky Bet Championship.

The Ireland players will report for international duty the following day (Sunday, November 11), with the final squad to be confirmed ahead of training on Monday (November 12).

O'Neill has included four new faces in his provisional party, with Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher, Under-21 internationals Jimmy Dunne and Ryan Manning and 18-year-old Southampton striker Michael Obafemi all hoping to make the cut.

Stephen Ward (knee) and Jonathan Walters (Achilles) are both ruled out but Seamus Coleman (foot) and Robbie Brady (ankle) return following injuries.

Meanwhile, O'Neill has still not given up hope that young West Ham star Declan Rice will eventually declare for Ireland.

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There are reports he will opt to play for England instead after being persuaded that is where his future lies by Gareth Southgate and his staff.

However O'Neill, who has handed Rice three caps in friendly games, is still hopeful he will get the answer he wants from the English-born player, who qualifies for Ireland through his father's side of the family.

Asked about the suggestion that the player has made his decision, O'Neill told a press conference in Dublin: "That may well be the case, I don't know. I'm in contact with the family and they said they would let us know.

"There was a story last week and a couple of weeks before that. There was a story broken that was without foundation.

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"The player will have the decision. I'm not waiting every single moment. I would hope that he would come and play for us - that would be great, for the next 10 or 12 years, for him.

"But he's got things to consider and whatever decision he comes up with, I will abide with."

Ireland head into their next two games having won only once in nine outings in all competitions and knowing they will be relegated from Nations League B, Group Four, before they arrive in Aarhus if Denmark return from Wales with anything to show for their efforts.

A failure to secure a victory from the five competitive games since their side won a World Cup qualifier in Cardiff in October last year has left a question mark over O'Neill and assistant Roy Keane, who have been at the helm for five years.